American Warship USS Tulsa Returns to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The United States Navy's USS Tulsa (LCS 16) arrived at the Port of Colombo on October 7, marking its second visit to Sri Lanka in just over a year.

The visit of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship comes as both nations continue efforts to strengthen cooperation in maintaining peace, security and stability across the strategically important Indian Ocean region.

Welcoming the vessel's arrival, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer said every visit by a U.S. naval vessel presents an opportunity to deepen the friendship between the two countries and strengthen ties between their sailors.

He expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by Sri Lanka and said such engagements help build trust, enhance cooperation and strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

USS Tulsa last visited Colombo in August 2025 and returns as part of ongoing naval engagement activities between the United States and Sri Lanka.

During its stay, the vessel is expected to refuel and replenish supplies before resuming operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Officials say the port call will also provide opportunities for professional interactions and exchanges between U.S. and Sri Lankan naval personnel, further strengthening operational ties and mutual understanding.

The visit builds on years of cooperation between the two navies, including ship visits, military-to-military exchanges, training programmes and exercises such as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), which aim to improve interoperability and strengthen regional maritime security capabilities.

USS Tulsa is an Independence-class littoral combat ship designed for speed, flexibility and operations in both shallow coastal waters and the open ocean.

About USS Tulsa: USS Tulsa is an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship designed for maritime security, sea control, and operations with partners across the Indo-Pacific.

Built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, the ship features a distinctive trimaran hull and can reach speeds greater than 40 knots.

Its large flight deck and adaptable mission spaces allow it to support helicopters, small boats, unmanned systems, personnel, and equipment for a range of missions, from maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

This flexibility is particularly valuable in the Indian Ocean, where secure sea lanes, rapid response, and cooperation among maritime partners are critical to regional security and prosperity. Named after Tulsa, Oklahoma, USS Tulsa was commissioned in San Francisco on February 16, 2019, and operates in the Indo-Pacific under the motto “Tough, Able, Ready.”